What Alumni Like About the Pioneer Valley

When asked what alumni liked best and least about Western Massachusetts there were a variety of responses.  Alumni disliked the long winters, escalating housing costs, threat of sprawl, and lack of pubic transportation and commuter rail service (partially they admitted was a challenge due to the area’s rural character).  Alumni raved about the natural beauty of the area, a place where rural charm meets metropolitan culture, the assets of the 5-College community and accepting nature of the people.

“A cross between the natural beauty, the farmland aspect which reminds me of home [in the Midwest], and the cultural capital of a big city.” –Lori Shine, Copy Editor at Magazine Publishing Company, MFA in Writing alumna

“It’s just a great mix of a rural area with a lot of participation and opportunities, cultural opportunities, interesting people.  It’s very special that way.” –Lorin Starr, Interior Design Company Principle and Executive Director of WMAIA, MS in Interior Design alumna

“Western Massachusetts is in a fairly unique position geographically between Boston and New York but is still rural. You have this small town environmental look and yet the offerings in the area are very significant in terms of the different arts offerings and speakers that come to the area and intellectual endeavors.” –Heather Haskell, Director of Springfield Museums, Masters in Art History alumna